Riesling
Wine Regions
Riesling thrives best in cooler climates, where it ripens in the late autumn months.
Riesling Regions
The best Riesling wines come from Germany, Alsace (France), Austria, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
A German Riesling will have a lighter style and a higher acid level an edition from Alsace that has more body and fullness.
A German Riesling with a few grams of residual sugar and high acid content can still be considered as dry and comfortable as a dry Riesling from Alsace with less sugar and more alcohol.
When Riesling accompanies food, it should be slightly stored. The ripening tones down the acid, and the wine is rounded off.
Riesling in Germany
Riesling is the most planted wine grape in Germany. It is used to produce dry, semi-dry and sweet white wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.
High Quality areas / regions:
- Mosel
- Pfalz
- Rheingau
- Reinhessen
- Nahe
The German Mosel valley is one of the classic cultivation areas for Riesling.
The grape's demand for a cool climate is particularly well satisfied in this part of Germany, where conditions are quite extreme for wine production.
North of Germany (Mosel, Nahe), the wines are light and floral, with extreme finesse. They are usually made semi-dry or sweeter.
Further south, the wines will get more body, and dry editions are more common. Some of the best wines for food come from Rheingau, Pfalz, and Alsace in France.
Riesling in France
Riesling was first planted in France (Alsace) in the 15th century.
Rieslings from Alsace are known to display subtle differences from those produced in Germany.
Region: Alsace.
Riesling in Austria
The Riesling production in Austria is quite small, but Austria has a perfect climate and a good reputation for making excellent Rieslings.
High Quality areas / regions:
- Wachau
- Kamptal
Riesling in Italy
The best Italian Rieslings come from the North.
High Quality areas / regions:
- Trentino
- Alto-Adige
Riesling in Australia
With a hot climate, Riesling loses its delicate flavors. Australian riesling is an exception. Some of Australia's best white wines are made by Riesling.
High Quality areas / regions:
- Clare
- Eden
Picture credit: wineaustralia.com
Riesling in New Zealand
Most of the Riesling in New Zealand is grown on the South Island where the climate is colder.
High Quality areas / regions:
- Malborough
- Waipara Valley
Riesling in USA
USA produces good value Rieslings in many different regions.
High Quality areas / regions:
- New York
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idahoe
- California
- Michigan
In the nineteenth century, German immigrants brought Riesling vines to USA.
New York was one of the earliest producers of US Riesling (1850), soon to be followed by California (1861) and Washington State (1871)
The most significant Riesling quantities are now produced in Washington, New York, and Michigan.
Washington State
Riesling was one of the first grape varieties in Washington State.
Today, Washington is world class wine region, and the largest Riesling region in the USA.
The Columbia Valley has temperatures much like Alsace in France (or Rheingau in Germany), and cool evenings that preserves the acidity essential to Riesling
Washington State is known for producing full-flavored, elegant and incredible balanced Rieslings.
Riesling is also popular in the Pasific Northwest because it pairs well with the cuisine, with a multitude of fresh Seafood, Crab, Shrimps, and Oysters.
Asian cuisines are also popular in the Northwest, and the slight sweetness and crisp acidity Riesling’s pairs very well with spice in Thai food and Curry.
New York - Finger Lake
About 300 miles northwest of New York City lies a beautiful wine region called The Finger Lakes.
A cool climate, the "lake effect" temperature moderation, glacial soils, and sloping topography make this one a perfect Riesling production area.
Michigan
Michigan is one of the top ten wine-producing states in the United States, and the cool climate is perfect for Riesling.
Rieslings from Michigan are respected in national and international wine circles, often winning awards.
California
Riesling was officially first planted in California in 1861, known as "Johannisburg Riesling" or "White Riesling".
Today, Riesling is mostly grown in California’s cooler regions: Anderson Valley, Santa Barbara, and Monterey.
Ontario
Ontario is a cool climate region, and one of the few regions in the New World where Riesling is a signature variety.
With temperatures similar to the central Europe, some of the Riesling vineyards here are now older than 30 years and the quality of grapes improves with every vintage.